Italian Festival, boat races to launch Lake George tourist season

LAKE GEORGE -- The 2013 Lake George tourist season is getting off to an early start with two main events scheduled this weekend, May 18-19.

A first-ever Italian Festival will be centered around Shepard Park and will feature an array of live music, food and craft vendors.

At the same time, large, offshore powerboat races are scheduled for Saturday, followed by sailboat races on Sunday, both at the south end of the lake with viewing from Beach Road and the lake walkway.

"All we've got to do is pray for good weather," Mayor Robert Blais said.

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The Italian Festival's arts and craft show will feature 50 vendors. Other highlights will include wine-tasting, grape-squashing, strolling performers, a costume contest, hay rides in a "gondola" and bocce ball games.

The two-day event is slated to run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, capped off by a large fireworks show, and then continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday's live entertainment will include a performance by WRGB Channel 6 "Singing Anchor" Jerry Gretzinger, who will do an hour-long "Sinatra Review" at Shepard Park with a band ensemble.

Opera singers and a mandolin player, John Seneta of Glens Falls Music Academy, are also in the music lineup.

Lake George restaurants will serve up Italian specialty meals. Also, a "Best Pizza in Lake George for 2013" contest will take place, and a separate "Kids Choice Award for Best Pizza" honor will be bestowed.

Saturday's offshore boat races are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Boats will follow a triangular course from the South Basin to Tea Island.

Sunday, sailboats will race from noon to 3 p.m.

The boat races will be accompanied by live music, too, on Beach Road, highlighted by Saratoga Springs' Tequila Mockingbirds.